Author: Kanayan Tamar

NEWLY APPOINTED OSCE MG RUSSIAN CO-CHAIR VISITS IN AZERBAIJAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 20, 2010 – 16:23 AMT 11:23 GMT

The newly appointed Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group,
Ambassador Igor Popov arrived in Baku on April 20, accompanied by
former Co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov, APA news agency reported.

"Currently, intensified talks are held to resolve the Karabakh
conflict. As a Co-Chair, I will contribute to the process, taking up my
activity from the point, where my predecessor has stopped. Russia’s
stance on this conflict is known and remains unchangeable. It is
important to maintain the pace of negotiations," Amb. Popov noted.

U.S. Co-Chair, Ambassador Robert Bradtke will arrive in Azerbaijan
this afternoon, while Bernard Fassier of France will not join his
counterparts this time.

Igor Popov was born in 1954. He is a graduate of Moscow State Institute
of Foreign Relations. In 2000, he was appointed Deputy Director of the
CIS Countries First Department. He holds the rank of extraordinary
and plenipotentiary ambassador of 2nd category. On July 15, 2005,
he was appointed Russia’s Ambassador to Mozambique, under Russian
President’s decree. Since 2006, he has been Russia’s Ambassador to
the Kingdom of Swaziland concurrently.

ARMENIAN YOUTH ASSOCIATIONS OF CANADA ORGANIZING REMEMBRANCE MARCH

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 20, 2010 – 11:41 AMT 06:41 GMT

The Armenian youth associations across Canada are jointly organizing
a Remembrance March to mark the 95th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, a crime against humanity that has been recognized by numerous
countries including Canada.

The March will begin in Montreal’s Phillips Square on April 21st at
9:00 am and will end in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa on April
24th, the Armenian Youth of Canada told PanARMENIAN.Net

ARMENIAN YOUNG BOXERS TO DEPART FOR BAKU

Tert.am
20.04.10

Armenian team of young boxers, now in Tbilisi, continues preparing
for World Boxing Youth Championship 2010 to be held in Baku.

Secretary General of the Armenian Boxing Federation Lyova Hovhannisyan
informed Armsport.am that the championship to be held in Baku has
been delayed for tow days.

The world championship was scheduled to take place on April 23 but
due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland almost all European countries
have seen flight delays and cancelations, and many teams have been
unable to arrive in Baku. For this reason the championship will take
place on April 25.

The Armenian team of young boxers is scheduled to leave Tbilisi for
Baku this morning though it is not excluded that they may depart for
Azerbaijan later.

VTB BANK (ARMENIA) JOINS AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR YOUNG FAMILIES STATE PROGRAM

NOYAN TAPAN
APRIL 19, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 19, NOYAN TAPAN. Under Affordable Housing for Young
Families state target program, VTB Bank (Armenia) offers mortgage
loans to young families for purchasing an apartment.

According to a press release of the bank, in order to receive a
mortgage loan under the Affordable Housing for Young Families program,
a family must meet the following requirements:

– at least one of the spouses is an Armenian citizen aged 18-30,

– the sum of the ages of two spouses must not exceed 60,

– at the same time, neither spouse must be above the age of 35,

– a single parent with a child, the parent must not be above the age
of 30.

Mortgage loans are provided in Armenian drams, at an annual interest
rate of 9.5-10%, 2% of which is subsidized by the state, i.e. a
mortgage loan is provided at an interest rate of 7.5-8%. The maximum
repayment period is 20 years. The maximum price of an apartment is 16
million AMD, the prepayment makes at least 30% of the apartment value.

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY WELCOMES CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR PROCLAMATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 16, 2010 – 12:01 AMT 07:01 GMT

The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) welcomed California
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proclamation designating April 19-26
as the "Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide."

"As we reflect on the importance of genocide education and prevention
during the month of April, Governor Schwarzenegger reminds us all of
the need to remember and learn from the lessons of the past so that
man’s inhumanity to man is not repeated," stated Armenian Assembly
Board of Trustees Member Peter Kezirian.

The proclamation read in part: "As Americans and Californians, it is
our duty to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide and to participate
in the remembrance and mourning of the loss of innocent lives."

Despite the incontestable fact of the Armenian Genocide, as well as
the growing international trend toward affirmation, a destructive
campaign of denial continues to prevent the healing process. As
we mark the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide this April
24th, the Assembly continues to urge Congress and the President to
unequivocally affirm the Armenian Genocide. To that end, the Assembly
announced its National Fly-In Day to be held on April 21st entitled
"Day of Advocacy and Affirmation," which coincides with the Capitol
Hill Armenian Genocide Commemoration taking place that evening. For
more information or to participate in meetings with your elected
officials, please contact the Assembly’s Grassroots Director Taniel
Koushakjian at (202) 393-3434, ext. 335.

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER PROCLAME LES JOURNEES DU GENOCIDE ARMENIEN
Jean Eckian

armenews
vendredi16 avril 2010
CALIFORNIE

Le gouverneur de Californie Arnold Schwarzenegger a proclame la
semaine du 19 avril 26 avril, " journees du souvenir du Genocide
Armenien."

PROCLAMATION

par le Gouverneur de l’Etat de Californie

"Il est important de se rappeler les horreurs du passe afin que
l’histoire ne se repète pas. Le genocide armenien a ete une violation
terrible des droits de l’homme et un evenement qui a scandalise le
monde. Entre 1915 et 1923, 1,5 millions d’Armeniens innocents ont
perdu la vie entre les mains de l’Empire ottoman, et 500.000 autres
ont ete forces de quitter leur patrie.

Les atrocites perpetrees contre le peuple armenien ont ete graves et
inimaginables, tant il a ete soumis a la deportation, l’enlèvement, la
torture, la famine et plus.

Et comme dans tout conflit violent, les femmes armeniennes et des
enfants ont subi les pires exactions. La majeure partie de la
population armenienne qui a ete deplacee de ses foyers a ete forcee de
fuir dans les pays voisins ainsi que des pays lointains. Beaucoup ont
fui vers les Etats-Unis.

Aujourd’hui la Californie est honoree d’etre le foyer d’une population
dynamique armeno-americaine, la plus importante en dehors de la
Republique d’Armenie. Cette communaute prospère est un fier rappel de
survie et de determination meme face a l’injustice extreme.

Comme les Americains et les Californiens, il est de notre devoir de
rappeler le genocide armenien et de participer a la commemoration et
au deuil de la perte de vies innocentes.

EN CONSEQUENCE, Moi, Arnold Schwarzenegger, gouverneur de l’Etat de
Californie, proclame la semaine du 19 au 26 Avril 2010, " Journees du
Souvenir du genocide armenien."

EN FOI DE QUOI, j’ai appose ma signature et le Grand sceau de l’Etat
de Californie apposes ce 8e jour d’avril 2010. "

ARMENIAN TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION MINISTER AND CHINESE AMBASSADOR DISCUSS LEASING OF OHINA-MADE BUSES

/ARKA/
April 16, 2010
YEREVAN

Armenian transport and communication minister Manuk Vardanian met
today with Chinese ambassador to Armenia, Tian Chanchun, to discuss
the possibility of leasing China-made buses and mini-buses and some
other issues.

The press office of the ministry quoted the ambassador as
saying that Armenia and China enjoy normal political and economic
relations. It said the minister spoke about a new strategy of passenger
transportation being designed for Yerevan and other communities that
will be ready by the end of the year. He said its implementation will
require the import of new busses.

The Armenian minister said also that Armenia will announce an
international tender for construction of North-South transport corridor
and that Chinese companies are expected to participate in it as well.

The press office of the ministry said the two men discussed also
interaction in telecommunications sector. The ambassador said two
Chinese telecommunications companies operate now in Armenia. -0-

ARMENIAN STUDIES PROGRAM PLANS GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION EVENTS

Targeted News Service
April 14, 2010 Wednesday 5:43 AM EST

California State University Fresno issued the following news release:

The Armenian Studies Program at California State University, Fresno
is sponsoring four lectures and a commemorative event during April
in recognition of the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Dr. Bedross Der Matossian, a history professor at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology will begin the events at 7:30 p.m. Friday,
April 16, with a lecture about "The Taboo within the Taboo: The Fate
of the ‘Armenian Capital’ in the end of the Ottoman Empire."

Dr. Levon Marashlian, a professor of history at Glendale Community
College, will follow with "Problems with Denial and Denying with the
Armenian-Turkish Protocols."

At 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 21, freelance writer and editor Michael
Bobelian will present "The Struggle for Armenian Genocide Recognition
in the United States."

At noon April 23, the Armenian Studies Program will join the Armenian
Student Organization in sponsoring an Armenian Genocide commemorative
event at the Free Speech Area, with speakers from the Armenian
community and Fresno City Council Member Andreas Borges. The event
is a prelude to April 24’s community recognition of the genocide on
the annual Armenian Martyrs Day.

Dr. Abraham Terian, the Kazan Visiting Professor in Armenian Studies,
will conclude the university’s lecture series at 7:30 p.m. April 29,
speaking about "The Less-Known Victims of the Armenian Genocide."

The memorial and lectures, which are scheduled in the Alice Peters
Auditorium of the University Business Center, are free and open to
the public. Free parking for the lectures is available in Lots A and J.

For more information, contact the Armenian Studies Program at
559.278.2669.

TURKISH PM DISCUSSES IRAN, ARMENIA WITH OBAMA

Anadolu Agency
April 13 2010
Turkey

WASHINGTON, D.C. (A.A) -13.04.2010 -Tuesday’s meeting between Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Barack Obama took
place "in a sincere atmosphere and focused on many issues including
Armenia and Iran", diplomats said.

Sources said that Erdogan gave information to Obama on Turkey’s
efforts for peace in the Caucasus and Middle East.

During the meeting, Erdogan and Obama agreed on the necessity for
the continuation of talks between Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu and his US counterpart Hillary Clinton on the Caucasus.

Prime Minister Erdogan conveyed his thoughts on Iran’s nuclear
programme to President Obama. Obama informed Erdogan that the US
appreciated Turkey’s diplomacy and efforts for peace in the region
and requested Turkey’s constructive contributions to continue.

The Erdogan-Obama meeting was scheduled to take place in 15 minutes
but lasted 45 minutes.

BAKU, YEREVAN DIVIDED OVER TURKISH ROLE IN KARABAKH

Today’s Zaman
April 16 2010
Turkey

Talks between Turkish and Armenian leaders in Washington this week
have sparked a debate in Armenia and Azerbaijan about Turkey’s role
in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.

While Armenia categorically dismisses any Turkish role in the dispute
— saying its efforts to normalize relations with Ankara are not
linked to this territorial rift — Azerbaijani experts and politicians
insist that peace is not attainable in the Caucasus without a solution
in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Turkey has increased its efforts to normalize relations with its
estranged neighbor Armenia in the run-up to a speech traditionally
made by the US president on April 24, the day the world commemorates
the victims of atrocities against Armenians in 1915. Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan
met in Washington, D.C., on Monday on the sidelines of the nuclear
security summit to discuss the status of the reconciliation process
between the two countries. While the contents of the talks remained
undisclosed, Azerbaijan and Armenia made their positions clear in a
series of public statements.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian said there was no sense in discussing the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue with Turkey, adding that Turkey cannot act as a mediator in
the Karabakh dispute. "Armenia will never agree to concessions on the
Karabakh issue to normalize ties with Turkey," Nalbandian noted. He
also said linking the settlement of the Karabakh conflict to the
Armenian-Turkish rapprochement would harm both processes. He made
similar statements in Armenia on Wednesday, as well.

Armenia has resisted Turkey’s attempt to link the normalization of
Turkish-Armenian relations to the settlement Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.

Azerbaijan, in contrast, claims the opening of the borders would
be a big boon to Armenia, which occupies 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s
territory.

Speaking to members of Azerbaijan’s cabinet on Wednesday, Azerbaijani
President Ä°lham Aliyev questioned the wisdom of solving other issues
in the region while maintaining the status quo on the Nagorno-Karabakh
dispute, the local ANS TV station reported.

Erdogan sent a special envoy, Feridun Sinirlioglu, to both Yerevan
and Baku last week. In Baku, he conveyed the view of the Turkish
administration thatAzerbaijan should not be concerned about the
Turkish-Armenian talks. The primary aim of the Baku visit was
apparently to reassure the Azerbaijani administration that Turkey
does not intend to leave it hanging in regional politics.

In his statements to the cabinet, Aliyev said the opening of the border
between Turkey and Armenia is clearly against Azerbaijan’s national
interests. "How can the Azerbaijani public accept this fact if our
national interests are being put aside, the occupation of our country
is ignored and everything possible is being done to rescue a country
[Armenia] from economic hardship?" Aliyev asked.

In addition, Azerbaijani presidential public policy administration
head Ali Hasanov accused the US of often taking a unilateral position
supporting Armenia, in remarks to reporters on Thursday. "We urge the
US to take a neutral position," Hasanov said. Hasanov also lauded
Turkey’s position and effort in bringing the Karabakh issue to the
forefront. "We are fully satisfied with Turkey’s stance on the Karabakh
issue," Hasanov noted.

The Azerbaijani president also stressed that the issue of opening
the borders between Turkey and Armenia is a bilateral affair and
that third parties should not be involved in the situation. "Neither
we nor anyone else should interfere in this. These are relations
between two countries. Of course, while these countries attempt to
solve their problems, they will also consider the ongoing processes,
history and historical relations in the region. What kind of things
do those sides, which know nothing about the processes in the region,
want to achieve by sabotage and pressure? We cannot accept this. This
is clearly against our national policy," Aliyev said.